Tomas Hertl Selected At No. 17 By San Jose Sharks

With the No. 17 overall selection, the San Jose Sharks have selected Tomas Hertl.

The 18-year-old Hertl spent his rookie season with Slavia Praha HC of the Czech league, where he posted 25 points in 38 games. Those numbers placed him fourth in scoring on the team.

His numbers with Slavia Praha HC were impressive for a rookie, but his numbers in international play were even more so. At the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships, Hertl scored three goals in six games while representing the Czech Republic.

Internationally, Hertl impressed in the U20 Slavia team as the third leading scorer against older competition. He had an even better performance at the U18 level, scoring 23 points in just seven games.

Even when he is not scoring, Hertl is known for his effectiveness and contributions on the ice. The 6’2, 198 pound centerman is not blazingly quick, but his agility and hockey sense allow him to play at the necessary pace. He’s skilled at separating the puck from opponents and once he has it, he can be an offensive threat.